Before you thank your team members for their rapt attention at the morning meeting, take a closer look at those nodding heads. If eyes are pointed more at the floor than your whiteboard, don't assume they're nodding in agreement; your team may need a jump-start. While an especially dark -- and caffeinated -- brew is always welcome, innovative alternatives to your usual whiteboard presentation can better catch and keep their attention.

Noteworthy Nostalgia

Today is cool, but sometimes yesterday is cooler. Ditch the whiteboard for a chalkboard and let your team reminisce while they create menu-worthy chalkboard art and glory in the combination of white on black. If chalkboard dust bothers some, consider the humble flip chart. Gaining popularity as an alternative to PowerPoint, the flip chart's key advantages are portability and more permanent visuals. Every idea you write on the paper becomes frameable, easy to laminate and passable to those who need a post-meeting memory jog.

Techie Interactions

Take the whiteboard up a notch in the form of a smart board, which allows users to project materials from a computer screen to the board and write on top of the projected image. An iPad with Apple TV offers another tech-savvy solution: This combination lets you and your colleagues project your mobile devices onto the television screen, providing an opportunity for team interaction. Other technical solutions include integrating presentation software and business Web applications to display your agenda and other brainstorming activities.

Writing on the Wall

Expand your writing space to all nooks and crannies in the room and your coworkers' heads will be turned in every direction but down. Companies like IdeaPaint offer special paint to turn part or all of your wall into a whiteboard. Use this specialized paint on your wall -- in clear, white or black -- and you can write your meeting agenda anywhere you like and wipe it off to use the space again tomorrow.

Sticky Solutions

Plain paper can perk up droopy heads, too, when you vary its use. Before your meeting starts, tape butcher paper from the ceiling to floor on each side of the room. Write different agenda item categories on each wall and walk back and forth to write the meeting notes. Sticky notes also work -- especially when they come in jumbo size. Simply post a few around the room or let each meeting presenter post them to the walls themselves. They may not fit in your desk drawer, but their attention-grabbing qualities outweigh the drawbacks of their bulkiness.

About the Author

Zoe Maletta writes on a variety of topics with special focus on leadership, careers and small business management. Professionally writing since 2007, her many publishers include "The Houston Chronicle", "Global Post Careers" and "The Nest." When she's not writing, Maletta enjoys making memories with family and participating in church ministry. Maletta holds both a B.S.and an M.A. in counseling.